The Unholy Three (1925)

A sideshow ventriloquist, midget, and strongman form a conspiracy known as "The Unholy Three" and commit a series of robberies.

Director:

Tod Browning

Writers:

Clarence Aaron 'Tod' Robbins (story) (as Tod Robbins), Waldemar Young (scenario)

Stars:

Lon Chaney, Mae Busch, Matt Moore

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lon Chaney	...	Echo - The Ventriloquist
Mae Busch	...	Rosie O'Grady
Matt Moore	...	Hector McDonald
Victor McLaglen	...	Hercules
Harry Earles	...	Tweedledee
Matthew Betz	...	Detective Regan
Edward Connelly	...	Judge
William Humphrey	...	Attorney for the Defense (as William Humphreys)
E. Alyn Warren	...	Prosecuting Attorney (as A.E. Warren)

Storyline

Three sideshow performers leave their lives of captivity and become "The Unholy Three." Echo the ventriloquist assumes the role of a kindly old grandmother who runs a bird shop. Tweedledee, the "twenty inch man," becomes her grandbaby, and Hercules is their assistant. Soon an incredible crime wave is launched from their little store.

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Plot Keywords:

ruby necklace | cigar smoking | ventriloquist dummy | tattooed woman | ventriloquist | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film Debut of Harry Earles.

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Goofs

For a couple of shots when Echo and Tweedledee are at Mr. Arlington's house, (Harry Earles) accidentally left his wedding ring on his finger.

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Quotes

Title Card: 'Twas a balmy summer evening, And a goodly crowd was there.

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Alternate Versions

Turner Classic Movies showed an 86-minute version with a music and sound effects that was recorded in the 1970s by MGM from a stock music library for syndication. The tints for this edition are incorrect.

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Connections

Referenced in The Devil-Doll (1936)

User Reviews

Relatively Harmless, Until.........

How can one not love a Lon Chaney movie. His mastery of roles and his way of putting himself in the most awful physical contortions is historical. The old, "Too many cooks spoil the broth," is at work here. While these people were pulling off small crimes and picking pockets, things were reasonable. As soon as the loose cannon gets in and steals a valuable ruby, killing a man and harming a little girl, things go sour. The pet store front allows for all kinds of great visual delights. A midget playing a baby is also pretty bizarre. And, of course, we have the innocent man, who must be as dense as it possible to be, ignoring that strangest group of felons imaginable. Going around dusting the displays and keeping tabs on a gorilla they just happened to have. The finale is quite interesting and Chaney is superb. Just don't think too much as you watch it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

16 August 1925 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Unholy Three

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$103,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White Color (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1